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On side notes, I've been watching XIII: The Series lately and finished all the two seasons within a week after viewing its two-part miniseries predecessor (both commercially and chronologically) XIII: The Conspiracy. The franchise is adapted from the famous Belgian ongoing comic book series simply known as XIII.
XIII: The Conspiracy (2008) is a loose adaptation of the first five volumes of the comic book series which I have to say is undermined in its potential due to the low budget production sets, mostly. Stephen Dorff, who plays the titular character, I feel is completely miscast who doesn't really feel like "XIII" to me. He's doing a good job, don't get me wrong, but the part doesn't feel like it's suiting him.
XIII: The Series (2011-2012) picks up where the two-part miniseries left off, recasting two of the lead characters (XIII and Lauren Jones). Stuart Townsend (known for portraying Dorian Gray in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) overall is a better XIII than Stephen Dorff, and Aisha Tyler has more presence as the [unofficial] sidekick Lauren Jones (Major Jones in the comics) than the actress in the role before her, while the rest of the surviving cast members reprise their roles from the previous installment. The first season loosely (but in turn faithfully, somewhat) adapts all the remaining volumes that exist, changing a few plot points to interpret it in a more contemporary (and a couple of years ahead) setting. Whereas the second season introduces us an entirely new and original story arc that goes beyond the existing materials, unconnected to any of the outlines put into the source material. Overall, I liked the first season as it was a modernized (but not too faithfully) adaptation of the comics I've been a fan of. But, the second season, while it has interesting elements and moments I could take into account, was a major downer. Because it somehow defeats the purpose of the original franchise.
Casting Highlights:
1-Stuart Townsend is a spectacular XIII. But, he isn't the XIII that I have always had in mind, and the character doesn't have much of persona connections, either. But, I like them both. I could compare the transition in a way Connery's Bond is to the Literary Bond.
2-Aisha Tyler is the perfect Major/Agent Jones. I have absolutely no complaints.
3-Greg Bryk as Colonel Amos only departs from two elements on the behalf of his comic book interpretation. Amos is an old man in the comic book with one arm only that's operational. The TV Series' character is at 35-40 years of age, and both arms are intact. But, the persona is very much the same as his choices of suits with bowties.
4-Ted Atherton as Walter "Wally" Sheridan, like Tyler's Jones, is a perfect casting. No complaints on my behalf at all.
Yet more quality from BBC4, The Icelandic series Trapped has been thrilling from the get go and we can't wait for the final 2 episodes coming this weeked. The atmospheric icy backdrop makes for an haunting setting, the deliberate slow burn has started to gather speed and it's mystery as taken hold and dragged you in as we get nearer to the end of this exceptional mystery thriller. The U.S have no reason to remake this, it couldn't be bettered, just like The Killing & The Bridge have already shown.
I recently started Hannibal and I'm LOVING it. I initially dismissed it because I thought Mads Mikkelsen was such an odd choice for the character who's so synonymous with Anthony Hopkins.
Well, he completely re-invented and modernized the character and now when I hear 'Hannibal' I now picture Mads, lol
Every actor is fantastic for that matter!
And oh my god, the 'food' looks so damn delicious!!! they totally did that on purpose to make the audience disgusted with themselves!
It's too bad it got cancelled- apparently it was nicknamed "the greatest show nobody's watching". I feel so guilty ;)
I will admit to being one of Hannibal biggest promoters the amount of people I recommended to watch this was plenty. Though while I think the first 2 seasons were great I have to say that Fuller and co meandered to much with Season 3 and it took to the 2nd half for them to get a grip with Red Dragon segement.
That said Mads is definitve Lecter for me, apart from SOTL Hopkins had made the character into a caricature and not one bit scary, Mads invested the character with sophistication and an subtle unhinged nature that defined his take and for my money presented something allot closer to Thomas Harris literary version.
The ending was great and Siouxsie Sioux Bond like song for the closing titles was a real treat.
Not seen this show, but boy would i dearly love to meet this guy. One of my favourite Bond villain.
The latest season of Hawaii 5-0 has just started here (one scene has that dentist phobic squirm on his couch). Monday, it's Rizzoli ans Isles which starts again. So, between that and the continuation of Agents of SHIELD and Elementary, my evenings are quite full.
To it. A fun mix of comedy and superhero action. The second episode should be of interest to
Bond fans. As during an illegal arms sales auction. One very well known Bond Villain appears.
Of course he's not named ( for legal reasons) but he's Dressed like Blofeld from DAF, and
The episode is set in 1975, in Norway
Didn't watch the remake but have seen both series of the French original, the U.S really need to stop remaking foreign shows, they make a right hash of it.
I thought series 1 was better than series 2. S1 had quite a Twin Peaks like quality to it, S2 is good but I'm not entirely sure I'm satisfied with it's conclusion.
If you are looking for other world TV series, I couldn't recommend the Icelandic series Trapped enough, it's a slow burn but the setting a performances pull you in.
I can just imagine some U.S network eyeing it up and thinking we could set this in Alaska, step away from the rights and leave it be, what's wrong with reading subtitles?
Also the Killing , The Bridge & The Returned show they'll never be a good as the original language version.
I picked back up on my 'Game of Thrones' marathon. On the season one finale now, hoping to get through the rest somehow before season five arrives next week.
So this is how it ends, on a cliffhanger? Maybe not, but I haven't seen any really gushing over series 10. This series on the whole hasn't had a stand out episode.
The Walking Dead: Series 6 - The Same Boat
This is why Carol is my favourite character on the show, just when you think she couldn't be more complex, the writers go and surprise you.
Put it this way, this...
and this...
are the same characters.
TV has moved on since X-Files was first on telly unfortunately Chris Carter is unaware of this, the last episode was uttterly absurd and silly.
Thank god we had Happy Valley Series 2 finale to follow it with. Once again this jewel in the BBC crown delivered in spades. Sarah Lancashire was utterly electrfying as Sgt Catherine Cawood as well as a superb cast.
Series 2 was quite unique in the respect that on it's return rather than ramp things up as is usual with successful and critically acclaimed shows. Happy Valley actually dialed things back with it's return and after tackling drug dealers and kidnapping delivered a series as powerful as it's predecessor with just a story involving manipulation and a serial killer but a no point being generic or stereotypical.
Can rightly stand alongside the likes of The Wire, Soprano's & Breaking Bad, sometimes us Brits can give the U.S a run for it's money and this show is evidence of that.
Season five just appeared on sky, I binged first four seasons of GOT last year, the show just gets better. Binge watching season five tomorrow ready for season six next month.
Also watched on Crackle some episodes of The Real Ghostbusters, hoping to wash some of the taste of the new trailer out of my mouth. Forgot how good this series was as well, as I don't remember having watched it since I was a kid.
And here, I'm waiting for the next season to premiere, and this time the Archer crew become private investigators in Los Angeles, given once they have been drug dealers.
Please don't remake this in the english language it would be truly pointless and lazy.
To those who do read the comics, and have seen the series...
4 episodes in and what a great series, I know it's Le Carre but I get a distinct flavour of Bond here, reminds me of Casino Royale.
Also this is so much more satisfying a spy thriller than SPECTRE ever was. I would have no problem with Hiddleston getting the gig after this but then again, Stevens, Turner or even the outsider Tom Hughes but TH has shown he could possibly pull it off here.
There is a palpable sense of tension since this started and episode 3 and four have notched this up. Top marks to Hugh Laurie he's utterly brilliant as Richard Roper, a damn sight more scary and sinister than Waltz was as ESB.
The music is so much better than Newman's efforts and I prefer the opening titles to Daniel Craig Octopus porn.
Sorry to make comparrisons but The Night Manager shows what a decent spy story can be and no I'm not missing big action set pieces. Give me a great story, with great performances and proper suspense and that's better than any lame car chase or any biggest explosion all time hype.
Bond of course needs it's action set pieces but it also needs to get back to some espionage, I loved Skyfall but that was a one off, whether it's Craig returning or a new person they needs to take this into account and drop the personal interest element because it's been done to death.